Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1887-06-24
i BRlEF STATEMENT.

Inasmuch as | have heard of late
shat the animus that prompted my
change Of church relations, was the i'll
feeling that I entertained against the
Southern Methodist Church, therefore
believe it to be my christian duty to
say that no such feeling ever did exist
in my heart against the great coanec-
tionalism that has done for me more
than allothers combined; I have always
from early youth enjoyed strong pre-
dilections for the Presbyterian church,
because of it's conservative and efficient
form of go vernment,
because of its splendid history; and its
correct statements of practical theol
ogy. Yet, with all this in my mind,
it was no easy matter to sever myself
from a church that is doing a wonder
full work in the world, and has done
much for me. And also, believe,
that particular church relation is
not essential to salvation. j believe
that church relation should be simply
a matter of preference, and not mat
ter of bigoted prejudice I believe
that persons will get to Heaven from
every church under the sun. I have
the kindest feelings for the Southern
Methodist, and for the NJ T. Church.
md for all christian denominations.
The Southern Methodists, few of
them in Oregon thought that l should
not speak in a private way, land l
nevet spoke in public, or wrote line
for the press until this moment upon
this topic) my convictions as to the
efficient perpetuity of the NJ. E. Church
South upon this coast, otherwise it
would subject me to the charge Of dis
loyalty. Now [ did not believe that
we could ultimately succeed as a vital
church organization in Oregon End
Territory, l believed that
the NJ. E. Church could care for all of
the Arminian school of theology, both
in education and religion And as I
saw more of this county, my reasons in
creased for this view of the subject.
Bishop Walden of the NJ E. Church
told me in Roseburg that he never
would appoint another preacher south
Of the Mason ard Dixon line if he
could avoid it, and if the Methoiists
were represented by the Southern
Methodists in that particular section.
[ believed this to be non-prejudiced,
and christian view of the subject. I
did not believe that the Southern Meth
odist ought to erect pulpit against
pulpit, as you see in Roseburg, Cor
Wallis, and other places. DR.. Kelly
held to the same view IN letter to the
Christian Advocate of comparatively
recent date. Drs. Kelly, Joseph,
West, Cunningham, Windfeld and
others, said when [ was in Nashville
few years since that it was not good
policy to sustain the Southern Metho-
dist church on this coast. Bishop
Hargrove intimated as much to one of
the preachers in the Columbia Confer
ence, by saying that the missionary aid
was contingent upon certain circuits
becoming self-sustaining etc., etc.
Other reasons lead me to this conclu-
sion. In Salem the capital of the state
there was once church of the Southern
Methodists, none now. Never was
one in Portland, and IN various points
Of Oregon and W. T. In 1850 be-
Lieve it was, that the NJ. E. Church
was planted in S. F. four years later the
NJ. E. Church South was also planted
there, two years ago in San Francisco
and Oakland the NJ. E. Church made
p appointments in the district named,
and the NJ. E. Church South made two,
one in San Francisco and one in Oak
land. Another thing, differing honest
lv from few of the brethren as to the
propriety of the Southern Methodist
Church controlling the State Agricul
tural college, [ incurred their dlspleas-
ure. Now do not believe that any
church ought to control state funds in
that way, for it is damaging to the
church that does without a question
For the good of the church, and GER
tainly for no other reason, l did what
could by their direction, and in ac-
cord with my own views to sever the
relation that existed between the
church, and it was accomplished in
good faith, and for more than year
there was not word of dissatisfaction
from any quarter. Then unfortunately
for the church, an effort is being made
to regain contro! of that which has
been an 'seye sore" to the church for
years. The Bishops that are taking
part in this matter are very much in